How should we respond when God changes our plans, as in 2 Samuel 7:4? The Moment God Redirects a Dream “But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,” (2 Samuel 7:4) Why the Lord Sometimes Steps In and Redirects • He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). • His ways and thoughts soar above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). • He is guarding His glory and our good (Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 10:31). • He may be preparing “immeasurably more” than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). David’s Model Response 1. He listened. Nathan relayed God’s word, and David did not argue (2 Samuel 7:17). 2. He worshiped. “Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said…” (2 Samuel 7:18-22). 3. He trusted God’s greater plan—building a dynasty rather than a temple (2 Samuel 7:11-16). How We Can Imitate David When Plans Change • Pause and seek confirmation through Scripture and godly counsel (Proverbs 11:14). • Acknowledge God’s sovereignty aloud—“You are God; Your words are true” (2 Samuel 7:28). • Shift from “Why, Lord?” to “What now, Lord?” (Acts 9:6). • Rejoice that His closed doors come with better promises (Revelation 3:7-8). Practical Steps for Today 1. Write the plan God closed, then list what He might be opening instead. 2. Memorize Proverbs 16:9—“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” 3. Thank Him daily for one unexpected turn that revealed His faithfulness. 4. Serve where you are while you wait; David kept leading Israel even after his temple dream was denied. Encouraging Scriptures to Keep Handy • Psalm 37:5—“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.” • Jeremiah 29:11—His plans are always “plans for welfare and not for calamity.” • James 4:13-15—“You ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” Closing Thought When the Lord redirects, He is not abandoning our desires; He is perfecting them. Following His lead never means settling for less—it means stepping into the “more” He’s already prepared. |
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